Thursday, October 9, 2025

Klamath Basin Weather

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. South wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Overnight, a 30% chance of rain, with a low near 44 degrees.  Southeast wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Around the State of Oregon

The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation has finalized the 2026 health rates for the individual and small group plans following months of federal uncertainty that delayed the normal review timeline.

Five insurers – Moda, Bridgespan, PacificSource, Providence, and Regence – will continue to offer plans statewide.

Kaiser Permanente will provide coverage in 11 counties, giving consumers six options to choose from in major portions of the state. Average changes for 2026 in the Individual market saw six companies submitted rate change requests ranging from an average increase of 3.9 percent (PacificSource) to 12.9 percent (Kaiser), for a weighted average increase of 9.7 percent. That average increase is slightly higher than last year’s requested weighted average increase of 9.3 percent.

In the small group market eight companies submitted rate change requests ranging from an average increase of 5.2 percent (PacificSource) to 21.5 percent (Providence), for a weighted average increase of 11.5 percent, which is lower than last year’s 12.3 percent requested average increase.

 

Streets near the entrance to South Portland’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building (ICE) remained closed to traffic on Wednesday morning, with police tape still blocking several intersections in the area.

At least twelve Portland police officers were present for U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s visit on Tuesday, setting up tape and traffic barricades as part of what the Police Bureau described as routine support for a visiting official. Portland police spokesperson Mike Benner said Wednesday morning there is no estimated time for the removal of the tape.

The Portland Police Bureau used social media to remind residents that local restaurants and businesses remain open, advising people who need access to speak with an officer at the scene. The specific reason for the decision has not been provided. Noem stated on Fox News that she requested additional security and a larger buffer zone during a private meeting with Day and Oregon State Police Superintendent Casey Codding.

 

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek on Tuesday directed a senior military leader to demobilize and send home the roughly 200 members of Oregon National Guard troops who had been stationed at Camp Rilea, outside of Astoria.

In a letter to Gen. Gregory Guillot, the commander of the United States Northern Command, the governor said she was calling for the immediate demobilization of both the Oregon National Guard soldiers and the California National Guard soldiers.

California’s troops are currently stationed at Camp Withycombe, in Clackamas County. The state’s National Guard citizen soldiers are at the heart of a dizzying series of back-and-forth decisions over whether President Donald Trump can deploy the troops in Oregon over the objections of the state’s governor. The guard has a dual state and federal mission and members swear an oath to both the president of the United States and the governor of the state where they are based.

The Oregon troops have been “on pause” at the Oregon base. They were still under Title 10 on Monday, which means they were operating under federal authority, but they were unable to perform any Title 10 duties, such as training or protecting a federal building, as the fate of the federal troops played out in court. The troops have been at the base since the beginning of October.

 

DHS Secretary Noem threatens ‘four times’ more federal officers to Portland after meeting with Portland Mayor

The Texas National Guard has arrived and is in final training before it is deployed to downtown Portland, according to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem who visited the area Tuesday.

Noem arrived in Portland Tuesday morning and made her way down to the ICE facility where she toured the building and appeared for a short time on its roof with conservative influencer Nick Sortor, who was arrested by Portland police last week during a protest. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office declined to charge him, saying a charge of disorderly conduct could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Noem then toured the U.S. Federal Building and the ICE detention facility while Portland Police watched as federal officers made their way across the area while protesters tried to make a scene.

Then it was a meeting between Noem and Portland Police Chief Bob Day, which went nowhere regarding how local police would protect nearby residents nor stop the continued protests which on a nightly basis turn from peaceful to violent with ICE agents. Some 39 protesters have been arrested for throwing bottles, smoke bombs and some even spitting in officers faces.

Day commented later “There’s clearly differences of opinion,” regarding his meeting with Secretary Noem.  “I wouldn’t say that we’re all in alignment on every point, but I can say that, you know, we continue to be professionals, and we continue to strive for a shared value of safety.”

Following that meeting, Secretary Noem met with Portland Mayor Keith Wilson who said he refused to meet some of her demands for more security at the ICE facility.

Noem then remarked to the press that “we will send four times the amount of federal officers” to the city if necessary to this ICE area facility.

Wilson got in front of cameras after the meeting and commented “I continue to maintain that the tactics used by federal agents at the ICE facility are troubling and likely unconstitutional,” Wilson said.  “In terms of recent rhetoric, we still do not know what ‘Full Force’ against Portland means, or how the administration plans to use our city as a military ‘training ground.’ Because of these deeply concerning situational unknowns, I intend to explore options to protect our community and our right to free expression.”

In her interview with Jessie Watters on Fox News last night, Noem accused Portland of allowing federal officers to “hang out to dry” outside the ICE facility.

Noem said she was disappointed with Wilson’s response to her demands for more security, a larger buffer zone around the building and the streets reopened.

“He did not commit to any of those promises and said he would give me an answer by tomorrow, and I’m hopeful that he will,” she said. “What I told him that if he did not follow through on some of these security measures for our officers, we were going to cover him up with more federal resources and that we were going to send four times the amount of federal officers here.”

Noem also spoke with Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell and Oregon State Police Superintendent Casey Codding during her visit to Portland.

Typical left-leaning Oregon leaders have argued there is no need for troops in Portland because the protests are in the immediate area of the ICE building and that local authorities can handle the situation.  Stay tuned on this one.

 

The federal government shutdown has stopped Oregon’s nearly 30,000 federal workers from coming into offices, and now the chance of layoffs, delayed paychecks and an uncertain near future looms as we wait to see if Democrats will vote to open the government or keep it closed.

After Congress failed to reach a short-term funding agreement last Wednesday, roughly one-third of Oregon’s federal work force were sent home without pay, while another third — including airport screeners, border protection agents, VA medical staff, and others — must remain on the job but will not see paychecks until the shutdown ends.

The final third, such as employees of the U.S. Postal Service and Bonneville Power Administration, are not impacted by the shutdown, because their agencies operate with independent funding streams. 

For Oregon families, the shutdown could be disruptive in ways both obvious and subtle. Social Security and Medicare checks are expected to continue, but anyone needing a passport, a tax issue resolved, or help from agencies such as the IRS or Veterans Administration may encounter significant delays.

Nutrition assistance programs like WIC will remain funded only through mid-October, according to the Oregon Health Authority, while SNAP benefits could stretch about a month into the closure before interruptions occur. 

What stays open, what closes in Oregon Stays open: Airports and air travel – TSA screeners, air traffic controllers, and FAA safety staff will continue working without pay. The military and VA hospitals – Active duty personnel (including the National Guard troops expected to be deployed to Portland) as well as in-hospital medical care, and veterans’ health services will remain operational.

U.S. Postal Service – Mail delivery and post office operations are funded separately.

Weather reports – The National Weather Service will continue to provide forecasts and warning information. Bonneville Power Administration – Maintains the Northwest’s electrical grid with its own funding. Social Security and Medicare benefits – Checks will continue to be issued.

Likely disrupted or closed: Passport processing – Expect major delays, especially for expedited applications. Federal agency customer service – IRS, Veterans Administration, and Social Security offices will scale back, leaving many inquiries unanswered.

WIC benefits – Will continue through mid-October, but could lapse if the shutdown drags on. SNAP (food stamps) – Benefits will continue for several weeks but may run out if the impasse lasts.

Federal science and regulatory agencies – Workers at EPA, NOAA, USGS, Fish and Wildlife, and the Forest Service face furloughs. Stay tuned.

 

The Oregon Department of Transportation is working to fill vacant positions after resignations and a hiring freeze.

Typically, the department starts hiring winter maintenance staff in July, according to Deputy Director Travis Brouwer, who spoke to the Joint Committee on Transportation at the Oregon Capitol. The possibility of layoffs pending legislative action resulted in an increase in employee departures.

From late June to late September, 206 employees resigned, with about half retiring or leaving after receiving layoff notices. Following the legislature’s decision not to pass a transportation funding plan during its six-month session, the department identified 483 planned layoffs and eliminated 449 vacant positions.

Governor Tina Kotek suspended the layoffs twice while awaiting legislative action; these layoffs will not proceed since the Oregon Senate approved a $4.3 billion transportation package that provides funding for transportation jobs over the next decade. A special legislative session was held between August and September to secure sufficient votes to pass the bill. As a result, the department is delayed in recruiting staff to maintain roads during the winter and assist customers with vehicle registrations and licenses.

 

Springfield Special Education Teacher Honored as Oregon’s 2025-26 Teacher of the Year

In a surprise announcement Friday, Springfield Public Schools special education teacher Sally Golden was named and celebrated as Oregon’s 2025-26 Teacher of the Year.

Golden has been a special education teacher in the district for 20 years and has coordinated the Community Transition Program (CTP) for the past 14 years. She facilitates, writes and implements Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for young adult students with disabilities in the Springfield School District, with a focus on serving students in the four main areas of transition: employment skills, independent living, community participation and post-secondary education.

Prior to CTP, she taught special education at Springfield High School for six years and was a treatment team member for two years at Jasper Mountain Center, a residential home and day treatment program for children with significant trauma histories.

“Mrs. Golden embodies the profound influence that dedicated educators have on their students’ success,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “Her ability to build authentic partnerships with families and the Springfield community ensures that her students are supported with the resources they need and that they are valued as vital, contributing members of our society.”

“Mrs. Golden exemplifies the very best of Oregon education,” said Dr. Charlene Williams, Director of the Oregon Department of Education. “In a field too often overlooked, she has reimagined transitional special education by seeing her students not as ‘at-risk’ but as ‘at-hope’—radiating belief in their potential and purpose. With her expertise, humility, and gift for storytelling, Mrs. Golden is a trailblazer and a powerful advocate for inclusive, student-centered practices. We are proud to honor her as Oregon’s Teacher of the Year, knowing she will inspire educators and communities across the state.” 

“I continue to see each and every student as a unique individual worthy of respect, capable of growing, and open to influence,” Golden said in her application. 

Springfield’s Community Transition Program supports students with disabilities who complete high school with a modified diploma or certificate of completion and are eligible to continue receiving district special education transition services through the school year in which they turn 21 years of age. Through hands-on, community-based activities – such as work experience, cooking, shopping, city bus training, and recreation – students build independence and life skills. CTP staff also connect students with adult service agencies to ensure a smooth transition beyond district services. 

The Oregon Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by the Oregon Department of Education in partnership with the Oregon Lottery. Golden was celebrated as a Regional Teacher of the Year in September and will receive a $10,000 cash award as the 2025-26 Oregon Teacher of the Year. A matching $5,000 is also awarded to the Community Transition Program.

“Mrs. Golden goes beyond offering what you find in a traditional classroom, helping students build the skills and connections to be successful in the real world,” said Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells. “We celebrate her leadership as an educator who is making sure these young adults have the opportunity to thrive in their community.” 

The Oregon Teacher of the Year is selected after an extensive application process. Nominees from schools throughout Oregon submitted packets of information including testimonials and letters of support from administrators, students and colleagues. From the written material, applicants were assessed on leadership, instructional expertise, community involvement, understanding of educational issues, professional development and vision.

As the 2025-26 Oregon Teacher of the Year, Golden will serve as a spokesperson and representative for all Oregon teachers. She will also receive year-long professional development and networking with other state Teachers of the Year through the Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year program.

Do you know an outstanding teacher? Please nominate them as the 2026-27 Oregon Teacher of the Year by visiting the Oregon Teacher of the Year website. —(SOURCE)

New Parking Fees at 21 Oregon State Parks

Beginning on October 1, visitors will be required to pay a parking fee at 21 Oregon State Parks where fees were previously exempted.

As stated by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), this modification is part of a strategy to tackle a 14% budget deficit, with the extra revenue aimed at sustaining current service levels throughout the state. Some of the parks impacted include: Farewell Bend Beverly Beach Face Rock Sunset Bay Bullards Beach Harris Beach Valley of the Rogue

The daily parking fee is established at $10 per vehicle for residents of Oregon and $12 for visitors from out of state.

OPRD indicates that this change will assist in funding maintenance, staffing, and visitor services as expenses continue to increase. For further information, including a comprehensive list of affected parks and options for annual passes, please visit the Oregon State Parks website at stateparks.oregon.gov.

 

 

The United States Postal Service has announced its official mailing deadlines for the 2025 holiday season, assisting customers in planning ahead to ensure timely delivery of their cards and packages.

For those sending items within the contiguous 48 states, the following send-by dates are recommended:

December 17 for USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail (which includes holiday cards and small packages)

December 18 for Priority Mail

December 20 for Priority Mail Express, the quickest domestic shipping option offered by USPS.

USPS advises customers to ship early, use trackable services, and consider acquiring insurance for valuable items. Flat-rate boxes and shipping supplies can be obtained at local post offices and online at usps.com, where a comprehensive list of holiday deadlines, including those for international and military shipping, is also available.

 

Ready to Advertise? Let us get the word out for your business!  We offer more local advertising opportunities than any one in the Klamath Basin. 

Call BasinLife.com at 541-363-7503. Or email us today at INFO@BasinLife.com with your name, business, and what you’re looking for.  We’ll customize a plan fit for your budget.

You can receive Daily Radio Mentions across our 6 stations, Articles, direct link Banner Ads, floating Banner Ads on hundreds of article pages daily, Social Media Posts and also available are Email Blasts to thousands of local residents.

We can also keep you updated with the latest smart digital marketing strategies for 2025 for your business. BasinLife.com is still the best value in the Klamath Basin for advertising, now in our 9th year promoting businesses in Southern Oregon.

For information or prices on plans, simply call us today at 541-363-7503 or email us at Info@BasinLife.com. Let us keep your business top-of -mind!